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Santa Barbara police present updated massage ordinance; therapists urge fee, inspection and grandfathering changes
Summary
Police presented a long‑overdue update to the city’s massage-establishment ordinance to align with California law and add permit, inspection and certification requirements; licensed therapists praised safety goals but urged lower fees, grandfathering for long‑standing practitioners, and inspection protections for sole proprietors.
The Santa Barbara Police Department on Wednesday outlined a proposed overhaul of Chapter 5.76 of the municipal code to update the city’s massage-establishment rules, align local rules with the California Massage Therapy Act and give enforcement tools to address illicit activity, staff told the Fire and Police Commission.
Jocelyn, the police service coordinator leading the permit review, said the current city ordinance dates to 1976 and “is outdated and does not comply with state laws as outlined in the California Business and Professions Code 4600.” She told commissioners the draft ordinance would require establishments to keep an on-site roster of employees, display permits and ensure therapists hold California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification or a limited exception. The proposal would also empower police to conduct annual or unannounced inspections to detect investigative clues of illicit activity, staff said.
Police Commander Miller described enforcement priorities as protecting…
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